Concord Bans Outdoor Medical Marijuana Growing

CONCORD (CBS SF) — Medical marijuana patients, caregivers and other Concord residents growing the plant in their yards will soon have to take the herbs inside.

The Concord City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban all marijuana cultivation outdoors after about four months of discussion and debate.

The ordinance amends the city’s development code to prohibit all marijuana growing outside, even for medicinal purposes.

The vote came after about a dozen residents, including some who identified as medical marijuana patients, voiced their opposition to the ban, according to City Attorney Mark Coon.

Coon said he believes the ordinance is a compromise protecting the rights of homeowners who do not want to smell marijuana on their property and the rights of medical marijuana users, who can still grow pot indoors.

“I think the council struggled with the decision because it’s difficult to find a middle ground,” he said. “I think…